وَالنّاشِطاتِ نَشطًا
By those who draw [it] out gently.
EXEGESIS
Nashṭ comes from the root nashaṭa, which is to draw, bring out, or release. It also means to loosen a knot.
Strictly with this understanding, verse 2 can refer to any one of: 1. The angels that draw the souls from the bodies. 2. Death, which draws the souls from the bodies. 3. The stars that come out from one horizon into the other. 4. The arrows that are released from the bows in battle.
[1] Lisan, 7/413-414.
[2] Mizan, 20/179.
[3] Tibyan, 10/252.
[4] Tabrisi, 10/652, narrated from Qatādah, al-Akhfash, and Jubbāʾī.
[5] Mizan, 20/179.